May 29, 2009

This was a project I did yesterday. I thought it was going to be a larger shopping bag but instead it's a slightly smaller pretty bag that I probably won't use for shopping. I was so pleased at the way it turned out and there is not even ONE chocolate stain on it from Junior (big pat on mommy's back.)

And here it is empty on the left and filled with yarn on the right. Perhaps I should make some for my Etsy store.

May 28, 2009

Jennifer Paganelli is the designer of Sis Boom (produced by Freestyle Fabrics) with such happy, colorful fabrics I could buy them all. I've seen a few of them around but I hadn't really heard of her until I bought the fabric from my last post off of Etsy, which is chock full of her fabrics. She has a vibrant blog full of photographs of clothes, cushions and home goods made from the gorgeous Sis Boom cloth. Visit it here.

May 26, 2009

Remember how I was going to recover the seat of my chair this weekend? I didn't actually do it but I did order this - a bit for the chair and the rest to make a quilt. I just thought it was very beautiful and happy. I think I'll use the fabric on the bottom for the chair seat.

This has absolutely nothing to do with recovering chairs but I would love to have this shirt from Etsy seller Azmara.

May 22, 2009

My bathroom with the pink bathtub has been incomplete for a while, mostly because I couldn't find the perfect towels and bath mat for it. Well, I found them and they are so fantastic I almost fainted on the spot (that, and the larger towel was on clearance for $6.99.)

Other things I hope to enjoy working on this holiday weekend include: Making this hat. I'm a big believer in sunscreen and hats and I love working with beautiful yarn. Doesn't a new project hold so much potential and excitement? Even looking at this yarn makes me want to drop everything and sit in a rocker (I actually typed "rocket" first by mistake...which is truly more apropos) with a cup of tea and just go to work.

Finish this cushion so it doesn't look like a granny in a mauve polyester pantsuit is the owner.

Get started on this book. Admittedly, I bought it because I thought it was sooo cute it had to be good. I am guilty of judging books by their covers (and it was $2.99 which probably means it's entirely lame.) But reading this in my pink bathtub should be fun, some night this weekend when the kids have drifted off to sleep...

Give this $4.99 chair a seat with a pretty fabric cover. I guess that's enough for the long weekend. I'm looking forward to my little projects and having time with my family, playing in the grass, going to the beach, flying a kite if it's windy. I hope you enjoy your long weekend, too!

May 21, 2009

A friend asked my advice on some of these vintage fashion illustrations that she found on Ebay. I think they are a steal (many are $40) and are all original paint or pen and ink. Go have a browse and see if you find a little treasure for yourself or someone special. Find more here.

My friend bought this one for her little girl's room. I think it is very sweet and will be a very special present for her.

May 20, 2009

I've been a bit laid up here with a subluxation of my sacroiliac joint (sounds fancy, huh?) so little projects have been happening here and there while I sit on my tush or waddle around. My daughter requested a dress with her favorite foods on it: Cake and peas. So, in an oh so imperfect but full of love way, I made her this Cake and Pea Dress. Note: Dress is from Old Navy, embroidery by me.

I know, I know, I misspelled "heart" in French...that's what happens when you do things freehand while watching little chaps at the park. I kind of like that effect, though...it reminds me of Japanese translations. "She ate her donkey gracefully while bowing." I'm really into studied imperfection right now; it takes away so much pressure and has such a raw beauty to it.

May 13, 2009

I love the magazine Marie Claire Idées but it is hard to find in these parts. Look at this pink armoire: What a fun project!

I would love to sew the pink school bag for my daughter. The directions are in French and it isn't like I find it easy to follow a sewing pattern in English. Sigh. I can crochet flowers, however, and I just might.

Another fun idea. It reminds me of the John Derian couch in the NY Times that caused such an uproar because the owners let children take markers to the lovely sofa:

You just have to do what you like and what makes you happy, especially in your home. Critics be damned!

May 11, 2009

I discovered Jane Foster in my Etsy travels yesterday and am in love with her work. I left a completely dorky comment on her blog: "You should be making fabric." and (duh) I looked through her website more and found that she is. The colors and clear Scandinavian influences are pure inspiration to me. She mostly does screen prints but have a look at her home design and the vintage fabrics that she collects! I know you'll enjoy her work as much as I do and I feel sure we'll be seeing a lot more of her. Find her on Etsy here.